Natural Science Department Faculty

Dr. Sherry Story holds a B.S. in chemistry from Fort Valley State University and an M.S. and a Ph.D. in biochemistry & molecular biology from the University of Georgia. Her dissertation was titled Biochemical and kinetic characterization of metallopeptidases from the hyperthermophilicarchaeonPyrococcusfuriosus. Her research has led to publications in Journal of Bacteriology and Nucleosides, Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids. Dr. Story is also a professional photographer.

To view a short video of Dr. Story's testimony of healing from abuse as a child, click here.

Gonzalez, Oscar

Assistant Professor

EXT:

Dr. Oscar earned his Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Ecology at the University of Florida. He has a M.Sc. in Zoology at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (Peru), a Master in Tropical Biodiversity Management at the Universidad San Pablo CEU (Spain), and a B.Sc. in Biology at the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina (Peru).

An Avian Ecologist, he achieved more than 20 years of experience executing bird surveys and monitoring in Peru and wrote more than 40 papers and technical documents on bird ecology, populations and natural history. He still does research in tropical Ornithology, plant-animal interactions, conservation and the positive interaction between science and the Christian Faith. His doctoral research was about the ecology of nectarivorous birds in the montane forest of the Andes. His research can be found at http://florida.academia.edu/OscarGonzalez and https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Oscar_Gonzalez26.

Dr. Jonathan Howell completed a BS in Zoology at UGA in 1995. Following his undergraduate program, he worked as a certified pharmacy technician for one year before beginning graduate work at McNeese State University in Louisiana. Here he studied environmental mercury in the soil, completed a MS in Environmental Science, and (most importantly) met his wife. Immediately upon graduation from MSU, Dr. Howell began working on his Ph.D in Ecology at Old Dominion University in Virginia, which he completed in 2009 after an extended study of fungus-growing ants. During his time in Virginia, he taught at multiple physically and virtual universities, including Regent University, and had the pleasure of welcoming his only child to the world. The opportunity of teaching at Emmanuel provides him with chance to combine his love of the natural world with his love of Christ and demonstrate how the two might be united.

Dr. Karen Pasko earned a B.S. in medical technology at Penn State University. She received a Ph.D. in immunology and microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine. Her graduate work focused on the effects of diabetes on cellular immune function. Hospital laboratory diagnostic work and science teaching in Christian institutions filled the years between graduate school and arrival at Emmanuel College in 2000. Emmanuel College provides the opportunity for her to teach science from a God-centered perspective. Her courses include biology for non-majors, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, and molecular biology. Teaching science and mentoring students as they find God’s plan for their lives is very rewarding for her.

Dr. Brian Peek received a B.S. in chemistry from Wake Forest University and Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of North Carolina. His graduate research involved the synthesis of novel amino acids and peptides that could harvest light and mimic photosynthesis. Dr. Peek was awarded a National Research Council postdoctoral fellowship and spent several years at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, D.C. Dr. Peek’s research here and later in the private sector led to several U.S. patents. He came to EC in 2009 and teaches general and organic chemistry. The environment at Emmanuel allows him to show students that Christianity and science are not in conflict; rather, science obeys the created order and reflects a loving and all-powerful God.

Jeremiah N. Winter received his B.S. in biology from Cornerstone University, where he gained a deep appreciation for Christian colleges, and his Ph.D. in molecular medicine from Penn State University College of Medicine. Following his undergraduate work, he worked as a research assistant at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. At Penn State he studied the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, which is involved in multiple processes, including muscle hypertrophy. His research has led to publication in the American Journal of Physiology – Cell Physiology (August 2010). Dr. Winter counts himself blessed to be at Emmanuel College, and gives God all the glory for bringing him to Franklin Springs.

Adjunct Faculty

Ashley Exendine earned her B.S. in Wildlife Biology and an M.S. in Biology with an emphasis in conservation education at Missouri State University. Her graduate work involved the critiquing and testing of a rangeland curriculum in elementary schools throughout the South Texas area. Her graduate work was supported by a fellowship through The Rob & Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation located in Sinton, Texas. Prior to joining Emmanuel College in 2013, she worked with the Welder Wildlife Foundation as a Conservation Educator for all age groups. She enjoys sharing her passion for science with students through the Christ-centered atmosphere at Emmanuel College.

Ashley Exendine and her husband, Mike, attend Faith Baptist Church in Missouri where they are active in leading the youth group. They have one little girl by the name of River.